CLIENTS VISIT A DAY SPA OR SOLO ESTHETICIAN FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF ESTHETIC BUSINESS YOU WANT TO GROW, YOU WILL NEED TO DO A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT BUSINESS YOU REALLY WANT TO BE IN AND WHO IS YOUR TARGET MARKET.
It is always tempting to do what brings in the “easy cash” such as waxing and lashes. It makes sense to do those services because they help with cash flow. However, if not careful we can lose our focus because it is harder to grow a regular and consistent facial clientele. If one of your goals is to grow facial treatments, but it only accounts for 15% of your income and time, then you may need to rethink your marketing and sales strategy.
Below are some tips to help you re-think your approach moving forward.
Offer a Free Skin Analysis
- Create a card that you can hand out where ever you go that explains what a “skin analysis” is and define the benefits. (I.e., understanding your skin, samples, etc.)
- Go to at least one networking meeting a month where you can hand this out and get at least 3 people scheduled for the skin analysis (just open your phone and book.)
Network with others
- Find others that inspire and help you become a smarter business owner.
- Talk about facials everywhere you go. Educate and inspire others.
- You must work on your business, not just in your business. If you are busy doing treatments, schedule at least a 4 hour stretch to do nothing but marketing and sales. That includes networking, walking around your neighborhood, Facebook/Instagram Marketing, etc.
- Good sources of referrals deserve a complimentary facial. These are true influencers. It’s better to be doing facials than sitting around wishing you had clients. Stylists, manicurists, realtors, attorneys and other business owners are good sources.
Create Memberships and Incentives
- If you look at the tanning and weight centers in your neighborhood as inspiration, you can surely craft something enticing to build loyalty among current customers, upsell everyone and incentivize new customers to try your services out. Have fun with it. Understand what your clients really value.
- Be Creative with your menu and the way you merchandise your products
- All of us are visual. Tell your philosophy and story in your marketing – that means let people identify with you and trust that you are great at what you do. Tell them your “why” and share your passion. Explain what facials can do to improve the complexion.
Stay Open Minded
- Having been in the professional skincare business for over 20 years (as an esthetician, spa owner, distributor, brand owner and speaker), I have met many people. The most successful spa owners stay open minded and do not think there is one “best” brand of products, treatments or way to success. It is YOUR business and you can make it whatever you want. If you are a night owl and want to be open until 10:00 PM and your clients would love that, then do it. See how it goes. One never knows.
Understand that your clients love coming to see you and getting pampered and if you continue to grow, they will stay with you.